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Bloomberg Sports Takes Teams, Fans Into the Future

Two years after launch, Bloomberg Sports is rapidly expanding its offering of data-driven technology tools, signaling the growing demand for advanced analytics by fans and teams alike as the digital capability to deliver such content matures.

The company released an enhanced package of tools for fantasy football players, called Decision Maker 2012, earlier this month. Also this month, it partnered with the Los Angeles Angels baseball team to bring the total number of MLB franchises using its products to 25. In September, it will launch its first soccer product in the United Kingdom. The number of professional baseball players using its personalized analytics tablet app is steadily increasing. And in July, it partnered with the global sports and media giant IMG to help expand into the international market.

Bloomberg Sports was launched in 2010 to take the high-powered analytics technology Bloomberg L.P. most commonly uses in the financial world and apply it to sports. Bill Squadron, who runs the sports operation, is a veteran of the sports tech world. He previously worked at Sportvision, which invented a number of innovations taken for granted today, including the iconic yellow first down line used in football telecasts. He's pleased with how Bloomberg Sports has developed in two years but says there's plenty more growth to come.

"One nice thing is that, particularly with the success of the baseball system, governing bodies of most leagues have talked to use about doing different things," Squadron told Mashable. "We would expect to be within all major sports in two years, maybe three on the outside."

Perhaps no product best exemplifies the emerging power of deep — and personalized — digital data analytics in sports better than the company's tablet app for major leaguers, which Squadron says is now used by "dozens if not hundreds" of players. The app is synced to each individual user, tracking his team schedule and pitching schedules for opponents. So, to prep for a matchup with a certain pitcher, for example, the user can automatically review video of all that hurler's pitches to him over the course of their career match-ups.

Decision Maker 2012, meanwhile, gives hardcore fantasy players access to advanced metrics and statistical comparisons and projections. The upcoming soccer app will function similarly for fans and betters in the U.K. and represents Bloomberg Sports' first foray into the overseas market and a sport other than baseball or football. But coupled with the IMG partnership, fans, teams and players of other sports around the world can plan on plenty more to come from the company over the next couple years.

Just like, Squadron says, Bloomberg Sports had it planned back in 2010.

"There have obviously been a couple litte twists and turns, but it's very close to what we had in mind when we started," he told Mashable. "We wanted to really establish or capabilities and bona fides in baseball especially, then build a platform that could be expanded to other sports from there."

BONUS GALLERY: 10 Exhilarating Apps for Sports Fans

10 Sports Apps

1. MLB.com At Bat

Beloved by many sports fans, MLB.com At Bat is Major League Baseball's official app. It lets you stream games, track stats, access highlights, listen to radio broadcasts and follow your favorite teams and players.

2. Nike+ Basketball

The Nike+ Basketball app works like a personal coach in your phone. It tracks your hang time and vertical jump, quickness and hustle, then lets you measure those stats against friends, as well as your own past performances.

It's free, available in the App Store, but only works when synced to shoes with Nike+ Sport technology.

3. ESPN ScoreCenter

ESPN ScoreCenter has you covered, no matter which sports and leagues you like to follow most. Customizable push notifications, score and stat updates, analysis and breaking news from the self-proclaimed "Worldwide Leader in Sports" make this app a winner.

4. NFL Sunday Ticket by DirecTV

It's NFL season, and this streaming app is a must-have for tech-savvy gridiron obsessives.

Available in the App Store and Google Play, it live streams every NFL Sunday Ticket game, as well as the ever-popular NFL Red Zone channel. Plus, it delivers highlights, scores and stat updates.

The app itself is free, but to use it you need a DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Max subscription, which will set you back $300. Hey, no one said hardcore fandom came cheap.

5. RunKeeper

With more than 10 million users, RunKeeper is one of the most popular fitness apps out there, and it's easy to see why. The app lets you track runs, bike rides, hikes, walks — even ski runs. Then, store and compare your results against past exercise sessions. You can measure pace, distance and time, set goals and receive notifications when you reach new personal bests or milestones.

6. KYCK

Recently launched as a mobile app in April, KYCK is a social sports network tailored exclusively to fans of international and club soccer. It allows users to eliminate the clutter of other sports and curate the content most relevant to them. Social updates, stats and news are delivered on a stream that looks like a cross between Twitter and Tumblr.

The KYCK website just got a redesign, and similar updates are on the way for its iOS app, which is available for free in the App Store.

7. USGA Rules of Golf

Straight from the horse's mouth, this app means you'll always have the United States Golf Association's official rules in your pocket.

8. Nike Training Club

Nike Training Club offers a range of workouts to choose from, whether you're looking to target certain areas or go on a full body regimen, modeled after celebrity and pro athlete fitness routines. Add incentive through digital rewards and social sharing, too.

This app is free and available through the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

9. Team Stream by Bleacher Report

Few sports sites push out as much content as Bleacher Report, and this popular app lets you winnow it all down to what's most relevant to your teams and interests. But the app also pulls content from other sites, blogs, newspapers and Twitter to keep you in the know.

10. NBA Game Time

Basketball season will be here again before you know it, and this free app is your one-stop shop for all things NBA. Get highlights, breaking news, stats, Twitter feeds and more delivered straight to your pocket.

Mashable
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